More police in Goose Bay, new contraband task force part of $20M earmarked for public safety

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is spending $20 million over the next two years on what it says is a public safety investment, including money for a new police contraband task force and more police officers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Part of the money will be used to create a 10-member joint task force between the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the RCMP, according to a news release, with a specific focus on targetingweapon, drugs and contraband enforcement in the Avalon region.

Spending is also going toward the addition of five new RCMP officers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. That announcement follows recommendations from the province'sPolicing Transformation Working Group outlined in a recent report on crime statistics in the community.

Justice Minister Bernard Davis told reporters in October the province has accepted all of the six recommendations.

"We've been going down this road over the last number of years," Davis said Wednesday. "We're looking down the road at what we need to do to try to combat some of the complexities in crime that we're seeing right across the country, but has come to our doorstep."

Other spending initiativesincluding money for 19 additional officers between the RNC and RCMPstarting in 2026. Where those officers are placed will be based on a review of resources, the news release said.

Pat Cahill,assistant commissioner with the RCMP,said recruitment for the Happy Valley-Goose Bay positions will start immediately.

"The additional officers in Goose Bay will help us be more proactive, and of course help alleviate some of the concerns in the community. So I think it'll allow for us to be a little more effective overall," Cahill said.

A leadership position within the RNC's intimate partner violence unit will also be created, along with money to support police training and equipment.

Speaking with reporters after the announcement, NDP Leader Jim Dinnsaid any investment in public safety is good, but wants to see more investment in the supports that can keep people from entering the justice system,like harm reduction efforts and housing.

"I firmly believe that we're seeing the increase in crime ... I would say it's directly tied to a lack of housing, a lack of supports," Dinn said. "That's addressing the symptoms, but not the underlying causes."

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